When I turned 35 a couple years ago, I went through a period of mourning. I wasn't pining for my youth or health (climbing mountains in my spare time helps).

No, I was grieving that I would likely never have another child.

I always knew that was a distinct possibility. I had a painful miscarriage at age 29, followed by a painful divorce at 30. I made a commitment to raise my daughter, throw myself into my work and date only sporadically.

But there was something about crossing the threshold of 35, as there may be more risks for pregnancy after that point. The idea that I'd never be a mom again felt sadly, excruciatingly final.

So you can imagine my surprise this year when I met someone I wanted to marry. And he has a son I love like my own. I am very fortunate.

My fiance and I both love children. We talked extensively about having more once we're married, if the stars and my health align.

But this summer, I lost my job. I lost my health insurance that day. Thankfully, I soon was gainfully employed again when I bought Inside Michigan Politics.

I did find an affordable, stopgap health plan for my daughter and me. But I didn't see a plan with a monthly premium below $1,200 that included maternity coverage.

Birth control isn't covered, either. So current plans often mean women have to pay out of pocket to prevent pregnancy or to continue one.

Solving this conundrum could have been a way for Right to Life and Planned Parenthood to get on the same side. Who would say that covering maternity care is a bad thing? But unfortunately, this is an issue that hasn't rippled on the political radar.

Instead, Right to Life has spent its time collecting about 315,000 signatures to block insurers from including abortion as a standard option in health plans. Women would have to purchase additional coverage.

Fortunately, there is a solution at hand for a problem that has long existed and wasn't created to stir the political pot -- women who want to have babies without going broke or forcing taxpayers to pick up the tab.